HOBOKEN – The City Council will meet tonight to discuss the potential use of eminent domain to acquire parkland in the southwest 4th Ward of town. According to a memo from Mayor Dawn Zimmer to the council, negotiations between the owner of the desired property and the city have failed.

The city identified the most ideal section to begin construction of a park as the lot between Harrison Street and Jackson Street and across from the former Downtown Pub.

If an ordinance is eventually passed and negotiations continue to stall, the city will probably use eminent domain – in which the city condemns the property and pays its owner fair market value – to acquire the property.

Also at the meeting...

The council will vote on a resolution that seeks to establish a large area in the southwest ward as an area in need of "rehabilitation" rather than "redevelopment." Much of the area was deemed to be in need of redevelopment by a city-hired planner in January. However, should the resolution pass, the rehabilitation distinction bars the city from using eminent domain, or from granting long term tax exemptions to acquire the properties.

Further, the council will also vote on a resolution to solicit bids in the minimum amount of $60,000 for a café to be established adjacent to Frank Sinatra Park.